Since it came with Windows XP Professional already installed and I figured a
dual-boot can be handy when using the thing for work as well, I decided to
keep Windows on the box.

1 - Create a GParted boot CD, boot on that and shrink the C: partition and
remove the (empty) D: partition.

2 - Get debian netinst CD image and boot on that (switch your BIOS settings
to allow booting from CD). I had to use an existing computer as HTTP proxy for
the Debian install since the F3JA wireless doesn't work from within the debian
installer.

ATI Radeon Mobility X1600 driver install

A whopping 55MB image download from ATI. After the fresh Debian install I could
only get 1024x768 without that binary one.